Top 10 beer bars in Canada

While it’s impossible to come up with a definitive ‘Best of’ list for a country the size of Canada, here is a list of some of the bars with the best beer selections across the nation. Rather than come up with a ranked listing, the focus here is to showcase the variety and quality that is becoming available everywhere. Jordan St.John writes about beer at saintjohnswort.ca; He likes a list as much as the next guy.

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Alibi Room,Vancouver, BC; alibi.ca This Gastown favourite stocks 50 taps of craft and microbrews specializing in the local B.C. scene, but dotted with quality American selections. The menu contains locally sourced and ocean-friendly choices. Highlights: Brunch is a real winner here, with or without beer.

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Vices & Versa:Montreal, QC; vicesetversa.comDescription: Quebec has one of the best beer scenes in Canada and the 35 taps at Vices & Versa showcase exclusively beers from the province. The food is simple, but the cheese platter is customizable. Highlights: If you're from out of town, you will probably not have heard of two thirds of the draught options. Exploration is a joy.

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Bar Volo,Toronto, ON; barvolo.com Bar Volo is the most influential beer bar in Canada and has managed for the last decade to be a trendsetter across the industry, hosting incredibly successful events like Cask Days and the IPA Challenge. Highlights: Up to six beers on hand-pumped cask; currently importing Stillwater Saison from Baltimore.

Luxalune, Winnipeg, MN; luxalune.com One of the great things about being in the middle of the country is having access to beers from both sides of it. There's a fine bottle selection here and the tapas menu is designed for sharing with your friends on a night out. Highlights: It's owned by the same people who own the Farmery, making Farmery Premium Lager an inexpensive house beer.

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Milos' Craft Beer Emporium, London, ON; pubmilos.com Milos' does a great job of showing off Ontario's craft beer on 23 taps and 2 cask hand pumps. The locally sourced ingredients on the menu show off Southwestern Ontario's bounty. Highlights:The bar hosts a selection of London's Forked River Brewery taps, acting as its de facto spiritual home.(JOE BELANGER/ THE LONDON FREE PRESS / QMI AGENCY)

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The National, Calgary, AB; ntnl.ca, The original location of a popular chain about to open its fourth location in Calgary, The National features 70 taps of mostly Canadian craft beer and upscale comfort food to match. Highlights: One of the greatest draught systems I've ever seen means that your beer will taste exactly how it is meant to.

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Stillwell Beer Bar, Halifax, NS; barstillwell.com Stillwell offers a sophisticated showcase for the new wave of breweries that have begun to pop up in Nova Scotia over the last two years. The snack menu is comprised of clever takes on bar food classics. Highlights: This might be your first chance to try beers from Boxing Rock or North Brewing.

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The Sugarbowl, Edmonton, AB; thesugarbowl.org While the draught list tends to run to European selections, the real draw of the Sugarbowl is the carefully chosen bottle selection that features one of everything and something for everyone. Highlights:Cask night is the third Thursday of every month and features local heroes, Alley Kat Brewing.

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The Wellington Gastropub, Ottawa, ON; thewellingtongastropub.com With Ottawa's brewing scene heating up, The Wellington provides one of the most representative tap lists in the area along with contemporary bistro fare. Highlights:They operate their own nano-brewery onsite under the banner of Stock Pot Ales.